February 8, 2019
- Cannabis
- Environmental Monitoring
- General
- Humidity Monitoring
- Remote Monitoring
- Temperature Monitoring
- Wireless Monitoring System
The marijuana industry createdan estimated$34 billion economic impact in 2018. Legal sales of marijuana are expected to increase from $10 billion in 2018 to $20 billion by 2022, according tothe Marijuana Business Fact Book. This means that more and more legal growers (under strict governmental regulations)will be on the American horizon seeking the best indoor growing practices. Temperature and humidity monitoring are essential forgrowing healthy cannabis plantsthroughout the entire life of the plant…seedling to harvest.
What’s the Difference Between Temperatures and Humidity Levels?
Temperature and humidity levels interactandare very similar and are closely related to one another.Humidity is the measure of how much humidity is actually being held in the air. Relative humidity (RH) which is one way to measure humiditylevels,is how much water is in theair compared to the maximum amount of water that can be held in the airat that temperature. The premise is that warm air holds more water vapor than cold air so it is important to get the warmest air in the environment. It is necessary to extract the warmest air from the growing environmentwhile allowing cool air to enter. The warm air alone has way too much vapor for ideal growing conditions.
Horticulturalists know that the key to success in any growing plant isunderstanding thelifecycle of the plant. This is also true with growing cannabis. Throughout every stage of growth, cannabisplants will have a constant need for water which the amounts will fluctuatewith the humidity. When the humidity is high,plants use their leaves to absorb moisture from the air which results inless water drawn from their roots. On the other hand, when the humidity is low, cannabis plants will take more waterthrough their roots.
Monitoring and having the right humidity encourages strong, healthy, nutrient-dense leafy plants with optimal growth.
Humidity levels must be monitored to prevent:
1. Bud Mold/Rot: A condition when the inside of the plant is taken over by mold. When this happens the buds are unusable.
2. White Powder Mildew: White Powder Mildew (WPM)is a rapidly reproducing fungal disease resulting in a white powder or mildew covering the plant. If caught early enough, it can be prevented, if not the plant will become unusable.
3. Nutrient Problems:If a cannabis plant takes in too many nutrients at once the leaves will turn yellow and the tips will look burnt, called nutrient burn or nute burn.
4. Slowed Growth: If humidity levels are not optimal for the growth stage, they don’t grow as fast as they could. Younger cannabis plants grow better in higher humidity than more mature plants.
So, the next question is how do you measure the ideal levels?
Cannabis Temperature Monitoring In All Stages of Growth
There are four stages or periodsof cannabis growing, all requiring different temperature and humidity levels. They are seedling, vegetation, flowering, and late flowering. Experts recommend monitoring levels throughout all four stages usinga digital thermometer and a digital hygrometer that include a memory feature so history can be reviewed. The four stages and what they require are:
1. Seedling Stage: Seedlings or clones, little cut-off pieces from a parent plant that needs to develop roots,require high humidity levels between 65 and 70 percent. These high humidity levels are needed because the root system is not established and humidity allows water intake through the plants’ leaves. Young growing cannabis plants prefer temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything above 80 degrees Fahrenheit is not recommended.
2. Vegetation Period: This is the stage that cannabis starts developing its renowned leafshape.It is important to note that light exposure is a very important part of this stage.The number of humidity levels should be lowered by five percent each week throughout the vegetation period. The temperature can be increased, too because roots absorb more water and evaporate through the plants’ leaves. Humidity levels should be before 40 and 70 percent. If wet spots are forming on the leaves, humidity levels are too high.
3. Flowering Plants: The humidity levels of cannabis plants at the beginning of the flowering stage should be lowered to 40 to 50 percent. At this stage, the plants have created a robust root system to meet their water needs. They still absorb water through the leaves. A lower humidity level is required to prevent mold and mildew from forming. Note that mold and mildewinfectthe plant from the inside the buds, so it isn’t visible at first.
4. Late Flowering Period: This period lasts anywhere between six and 12 weeks and when plants mature. During this time careful temperature and humidity monitoring are necessary. It is recommended that humidity levels be lowered between 30 and 40 percent to improve the yield, flavor, and appearance of the plant. Temperatures can range between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tips To Adjust Temperature and Humidity for Cannabis Growing
It can be difficult to keep humidity and temperature levels at the right balance throughout the plants’ life cycle. Keep in mind that warm air retains more water than cold air and that relative humidity and temperature interact to create the perfect balance. The following are hands-on tips for adjusting these levels but note thatthere is technology available in theSaaS Cloudthat will wirelessly do the work for you.
Tips to Lower Humidity and Temperature:
- Increase fresh, cool air in the growing area
- Water plants right when lights are turned on in the growing area
- Add a dehumidifier to regulate humidity in the growing area
Tips to Increase Humidity and Temperature
- Keep the soil surface moist
- Surround the room with moist towels and open containers of water
- Use a humidifier to constantly add moisture to the room
It is difficult to be present for the entire life cycle of a cannabis plant. There are more innovative and technological methods for monitoring temperature and humidity levels.ContactSensoScientific for a free trial and to learn more aboutthe most advanced wireless monitoring solution available for cannabis temperature monitoring.
